• You can develop anemia, low platelet counts, or low white blood cell counts. Change in dose or even stopping the medicine may be needed if you have any of these side effects.
• This medicine can cause cancer and infertility in animals. Talk with healthcare provider.
• This medicine does not mix well with some medicines. Serious reactions may occur. Check all medicines with healthcare provider.
• If you have an allergy to ganciclovir or any other part of this medicine.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• If you have a low platelet count or a low white blood cell count.
• If you are breast-feeding.
• To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.
• Use prescription as directed, even if feeling better.
Injection:
• This medicine is given as a shot into a vein over a period of time.
• Drink plenty of noncaffeine-containing liquid unless told to drink less liquid by healthcare provider.
Eye:
• For the eye only.
• Wash hands before and after use.
• Do not wear contact lenses while using this medicine.
• Do not touch the container tip to the eye, lid, or other skin.
• Tilt head back and drop medicine into eye.
• Call healthcare provider for instructions.
Eye:
• Use a missed dose as soon as possible.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.
• Do not use a double dose or extra doses.
• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
• You will be monitored closely by healthcare provider.
• Check blood work regularly. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Follow up with healthcare provider.
• Follow directions for storage of injection. Talk with healthcare provider.
Eye gel:
• Store at room temperature. Do not freeze.
Created: 2006-10-13 12:49:15.0
Modified: 2010-06-22 12:40:54.0
Lexi-PALS TM © (1977)-(2007) Lexi-Comp, Inc. All rights reserved.
• If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.
• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Most medicines can be thrown away in household trash after mixing with coffee grounds or kitty litter and sealing in a plastic bag.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or in Canada to Health Canada's Canada Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.
• If you have kidney disease, talk with healthcare provider.
• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
• Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor).
• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
• Use birth control that you can trust to prevent pregnancy while taking this medicine and for 3 months after receiving this medicine.
• If you are a male and sexually active, protect your partner from pregnancy during treatment and for 3 months after treatment ends. Use birth control that you can trust.
• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.
• Diarrhea.
• Anemia and low white blood cell count.
• Eye irritation.
• Blurred vision.
• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.
• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Significant change in thinking clearly and logically.
• Severe nausea or vomiting.
• Severe diarrhea.
• Unable to pass urine.
• Severe eye irritation.
• Any rash.
• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
